PLANT: Shrubs or small trees. LEAVES: alternate, often clustered on short branches, simple, entire. FLOWERS: terminal or axillary; sepals 5, 4-5 mm long; petals 5, 9-15 mm long; stamens numerous, usually 15 or more; gynoecium stipitate, 1-5 free carpels; stigmas capitate, oblique. FRUITS: horizontally wrinkled or reticulately marked; adaxial suture cartilaginous. SEEDS: 4-many with a whitish or yellowish fimbriate aril. NOTES: 2 spp.; U.S. and Mex. (Greek: krossoi = fringe + soma = body, because of the aril).
